Why Liverpool supporters shouldn’t worry about the defence

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Liverpool are sitting proudly on top of the Premier League, and although most supporters are enjoying every minute of it, there are still critics out there questioning whether we have the credentials to become title winners.

Most people are rightly praising Liverpool’s attacking ability but also questioning the defending and you can understand their concern over a backline which has only managed one clean-sheet this season.

Many believe Liverpool’s defence cost us the title two seasons ago because similar to this season, we scored plenty but kept conceding, but this season, I think, is a different story.

Firstly, I trust Klopp has brought in a better goalkeeper than Simon Mignolet. It is early days for Loris Karius and he has been a little shaky, but looked much improved in the 6-1 win over Watford and his confidence will grow as the season does. 

James Milner is playing like veteran full-back, certainly not one that is learning a new position, while Nathaniel Clyne is as dependable a right-back as you’ll see.

Liverpool’s current central-defensive partnership of Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are growing together and overall look solid.

Klopp has other options in defence with Joe Gomez returning from injury a major boost as he can cover every position, while Ragnar Klavan, Alberto Moreno and Lucas are decent reserve options as well. 

When the individual errors are eradicated, for example, such as Lovren’s at Crystal Palace, we’ll see more clean sheets – although in truth if we keep scoring at the current rate – this doesn’t matter! 

Liverpool recently played West Brom, Crystal Palace and Watford; all big, strong, physical teams that we have a history of struggling against. Although we conceded goals against each, we won comfortably, defending well in the main (bar Palace).  We didn’t allow them many set-pieces, importantly. 

Time will tell if Liverpool’s defence is strong enough to see us challenge for the title this term but personally, I have every faith.